Coyotes to Honor 12 Players from Original '96-97 Team

First 10,000 fans on Feb. 18 will receive a Keith Tkachuk bobble head

GLENDALE, ARIZONA --- As part of the 20th Anniversary celebration of the franchise, the Arizona Coyotes announced today that the team will honor 12 players from the original 1996-97 inaugural season roster on Saturday, Feb. 18 when the Coyotes take on the San Jose Sharks. The Coyotes played their first home game in the Valley on Oct. 10, 1996 versus San Jose.

The first 10,000 fans entering Gila River Arena that night will receive a Keith Tkachuk kachina jersey bobble head courtesy of COX. Tkachuk served as the Coyotes captain from 1996 to 2000.

Among the players participating in the ceremonial puck drop on Feb. 18 will be Coyotes Captain Shane Doan, Keith Tkachuk, Teppo Numminen, Dallas Drake, Mike Gartner, Cliff Ronning, Nikolai Khabibulin, Craig Janney, Kris King, Oleg Tverdovsky, Jim McKenzie and Mike Stapleton. Former Coyotes center Jeremy Roenick is unable to attend the game due to his NBC commitments. The Coyotes players will wear their black kachina jerseys for the game.

Prior to the start of the game, the Coyotes All-Time Starting Six roster will be revealed. Fans are encouraged to vote for their favorite three forwards, two defensemen and one goaltender from the past 20 years at www.coyotessweepstakes.com/vote through February 1.

On Friday, Feb. 17, the players in town from the original 1996 roster will participate in an Arizona Coyotes Foundation charity dinner at the Country Club at DC Ranch. The dinner (6:30 - 7:30 p.m.) will be hosted by FOX Sports Arizona's Todd Walsh and will feature a Q & A with all of the players. To purchase tickets for this event, please call 623-772-3241.